Emmylou Harris, Buddy Miller
Calvin Theatre, Northampton, Mass., Thursday
The Palace Theatre, Sunday

Entertainment glossies have been all a-twitter recently about the late-career grace of Madonna (“Madge,” the more familiar ones call her). That’s all well and good, and nobody will deny the Material Girl’s phenomenal ability to keep herself in the spotlight well past the point when most aging pop-tarts would have hit either rehab or Branson, Mo. But, tonight (Thursday)—and again on Sunday—you’ll have a chance to catch a somewhat less opportunistic performer with grace, talent and staying power to spare. Emmylou Harris has been at it for more than 20 years now, and her ability to shift genres—from torch’n’twang to hauntingly atmospheric pop, possessing each in turn—points to the fine line between artistry and ambition (of the spotlight-addiction type). Joining Harris at both shows will be another undersung trooper, guitarist Buddy Miller, who has been working the Americana circuit even longer than frequent collaborator Harris. (Calvin: Oct. 23, 8 PM, $45-$25, 800-THE-TICK; Palace: Oct. 26, 7:30 PM, $34.50-$24.50, 473-1845)

Dressy Bessy
Valentine’s, Thursday

Those fun-lovin’ Kindercore kids Dressy Bessy headline the Pop Super-Power Summit: Round 1 at Valentine’s tonight (Thursday). For once, a band’s self-description has some connection to reality: Dressy Bessy boast of their “buzzed-out psychedelic power-pop chords,” and the “girly-bright happiness and warmth” of singer Tammy Ealom. (No wonder a couple of their tunes turned up in episodes of The Powerpuff Girls.) Their latest disc, the self-titled Dressy Bessy, has won raves for upping the ante by adding an edginess to the pop gloss, and introducing a hint of musical chaos. Much beloved Texas-based combo Deathray Davies, who make ’60s Brit-pop fresh and new, are also on the bill (they claim that they only took the name Deathray Davies because “Deathray Liotta” just wasn’t cool enough) as are a host of local talent. Well-known bon vivant Brent Gorton, working-class popsters the Day Jobs, and the crazed Chicklets-pop of the Kiss Ups can also be heard. Youngsters take note, this is an 18-plus show. (Oct. 23, 8 PM, $8, 432-6572)

Levon Helm and the Barn Burners
The Van Dyck, Friday

Levon Helm can’t stop himself. Sure, the days of drumming for the Band or backing up Dylan are over, but he’s been playing with a new band for the past few years. Helm’s new work with the Barn Burners is more along the lines of his earliest band, the Hawks, drawing from the early blues styles that came out of Chicago and Memphis—and he’s bringing them to the Van Dyck for a show tomorrow (Friday). Helm thankfully beat his recent bout with cancer of the vocal chords, but it’s left the voice that sang lead on the Band’s biggest hits gravelly and out of the spotlight. Instead, Helm’s daughter, Amy, steps in for vocal duty with one soulful set of pipes, and adept hands on the keys. Rounding out the sound are Pat O’Shea on guitar, and new additions to the lineup, recent Rolling Stones bassist Jeff Sarli and singer and harmonica player Steve Guyger, a longtime player with Jimmy Rogers. (Oct. 24, 7 and 9:30 PM, $20, 381-1111)

Maroon 5, Gavin DeGraw, Michael Tolcher
Northern Lights, Sunday

Maroon 5 started out in high school as the modern-rock band Kara’s Flowers. The quartet had some modest success in that effort, including a Reprise-released disc that became big in college markets. But they changed their name to Maroon 5, added a fifth member, guitarist James Valentine, and tweaked their sound—and that’s when things really began to roll. They’re now older (23) and wiser, and their 2002 debut on indy label Octone, the bluesy, funky Songs About Jane, spawned a couple of hits. Maroon 5 have moved up the ladder, opening for the likes of Matchbox 20, and have garnered quite the following of their own. On Sunday, they take the stage at Northern Lights. Gavin DeGraw and Michael Tolcher open. (Oct. 26, 8 PM, $14, $12, 371-0012)

Wayne Hancock, Michael Eck
The Ale House, Sunday

Close up the honky-tonks and scoot over to the Ale House on Sunday to catch Wayne “the Train” Hancock kick out his Texas swing and jump blues. Hancock’s got a new album, Swing Time—out on Chicago’s insurgent country label, Bloodshot Records—which was recorded live in Austin. Hancock’s performances are largely unrehearsed as he thinks that takes away some of the spontaneity and authenticity—and he should know after playing for 25 years and touring relentlessly. His voice is raw, and it’s been said his tunes could raise the dead. His juke-jumpin’ songs about boozin’, drivin’ and babes are swung around the floor by minimal instrumentation—rhythm, bass and steel guitars for this tour—and he doesn’t even need drums to make it all rock & roll. Local folk king Michael Eck will open for his buddy Hancock, delivering his solo acoustic fury. Admission, apparently, is $5 if you bring a ticket stub from the Emmylou Harris or Ralph Stanley concerts, you animals you. (Oct. 26, 8:30 PM, $10, 272-9740)

Vienna Teng
The Larkin Lounge, Tuesday

David Letterman said of Vienna Teng’s debut album Waking Hour that “I’ve heard the entire CD and there’s not a dud on this. You get your money’s worth here.” When we read this, we were both impressed and puzzled. Impressed, because Letterman famously never listens to his guests’ music (or sees their movies) before interviews. Puzzled, because—even after a couple of decades on the tube—who the hell knows what the old curmudgeon actually likes? (Aside from models in sequined dresses.) Well, having given the disc a few spins, we know this: He has an appreciation for evocative, carefully crafted pop songs rich with emotional observation, performed with a dramatic, thoughtful sense of musical dynamics. (Who knew?) San Francisco-based singer-songwriter Teng has a rich, throaty voice to match the drama in her songs, which should be perfectly suited to the Larkin’s intimate space. One final note: Teng is another one of those overachiever types. The 24-year-old Stanford grad ditched a Silicon Valley software engineering gig to go into music; things are going swimmingly so far. (Oct. 28, 8 PM, $8, 463-5225)

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